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English South Sudan Unveils Newly Refurbished Juba National Stadium
South Sudan Unveils Newly Refurbished Juba National Stadium
In a landmark moment for South Sudanese sports, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, officially opened the doors of the revitalized Juba National Stadium today.
This grand inauguration, attended by nearly 5,000 enthusiastic spectators, marked a significant step forward in the nation’s footballing journey.
Under the auspices of the FIFA Forward program, the stadium underwent extensive refurbishment, transforming it into a state-of-the-art facility capable of accommodating 7,500 eager fans.
Situated at the heart of Juba Town, this venue now stands as a beacon of hope and possibility for the country’s footballing aspirations.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of Augustino Maduot Parek, President of the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA), who expressed profound gratitude towards President Kiir, the South Sudanese government, and FIFA for their unwavering support.
“We thank the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, and the government, and FIFA under the leadership of Infantino for the support in seeing this dream come true to have this Stadium today that we are ready to start hosting international matches,” remarked Parek.
FIFA President Infantino echoed these sentiments, commending the collective effort of all stakeholders in nurturing the growth of football in South Sudan.
“This is a great occasion. It is a great opportunity to showcase South Sudan, to showcase the youth of this country, which has so much talent, and it’s our joint responsibility to give this talent an opportunity,” stated Infantino. He further emphasized the significance of providing a platform for the nation’s budding football stars to shine on the global stage.
Among the esteemed guests in attendance were FIFA General Secretary Mattias Grafström, Davis Ndayisenga, Head of the FIFA Development Office in Kigali, CECAFA President Wallace Karia, Executive Director John Auka Gecheo, and FA President of Ethiopia Esayas Jira, underscoring the collaborative spirit driving football development across the region.
South Sudan’s journey into the footballing fraternity began with its official admission as a CAF member in February 2012, followed by FIFA membership in May of the same year.
Since then, the nation has made significant strides in advancing its footballing infrastructure and nurturing talent at grassroots levels.
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